Proximity payment with coupon redemption using a server and an identification code

ABSTRACT

The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY CLAIMS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,303 entitled “Single TapTransactions Using A Mobile Application”, filed on Nov. 19, 2012, whichis a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC 120 U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/338,203, entitled “Single Tap Transactions Usingan NFC Enabled Mobile device” filed on Dec. 27, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,332,272 which is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/948,903 entitled “Method AndSystem For Conducting An Online Payment Transaction Using A MobileCommunication Device”, filed on Nov. 30, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.8,352,323; and is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC 120to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/956,261, entitled “Method andSystem for Delivering Customized Information To A Mobile CommunicationDevice Based on User Affiliations” filed on Dec. 13, 2007, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,693,995; and is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/467,441, entitled “Method andApparatus For Completing A Transaction Using A Wireless MobileCommunication Channel and Another Communication Channel” filed on Aug.26, 2006; and is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC 120to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/592,581, entitled “Method andApparatus For Completing A Transaction Using A Wireless MobileCommunication Channel and Another Communication Channel”, filed on Nov.25, 2009; and is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC 120to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/939,821, entitled “Method andSystem for Securing Transactions Made Through a Mobile CommunicationDevice” filed on Nov. 14, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,290,433; and is acontinuation of and claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/944,267, entitled “Method And System ForDelivering Information To A Mobile Communication Device Based OnConsumer Transactions”, filed on Nov. 21, 2007 and is a continuation ofand claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/933,321 entitled “Induction Triggered Transactions Using an ExternalNFC Device”, filed Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,275,312 which is aContinuation-in-part and claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/467,441, entitled “Method and Apparatus ForCompleting A Transaction Using A Wireless Mobile Communication Channeland Another Communication Channel” filed on Aug. 26, 2006, the entiretyall of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to data communications and wirelessdevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile communication devices—e.g., cellular phones, personal digitalassistants, and the like—are increasingly being used to conduct paymenttransactions as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/933,351, entitled “Method and System For Scheduling A BankingTransaction Through A Mobile Communication Device”, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/467,441, entitled “Method and Apparatus ForCompleting A Transaction Using A Wireless Mobile Communication Channeland Another Communication Channel, both of which are incorporated hereinby reference. Such payment transactions can include, for example,purchasing goods and/or services, bill payments, and transferring fundsbetween bank accounts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, this specification describes a method and system forconducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device.The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item forpurchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchaseamount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchasethe item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchaseamount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which thepayment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobilecommunication device of the user. The method further includes receivinga result of the payment authorization from the payment entity throughthe mobile communication device; and completing the payment transactionbased on the result of the payment authorization.

Particular implementations can include one or more of the followingfeatures. The point of sale device can be a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, or a terminal. The mobile communication device can be acellular phone, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), or a laptopcomputer. The cellular phone can be an NFC-enabled phone. Sendingpayment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point ofsale device to a payment entity can include sending the paymentauthorization securely to the payment entity. The payment entity can bea person, a computer system, or a bank. The method can further includemaintaining a shopping list on the mobile communication device of theuser, in which the shopping list includes a listing of one or more itemsto be purchased by the user. The payment authorization can be anauthorization for payment with a credit card, a debit card, or a prepaidcard.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system including awireless mobile communication device and a management server inaccordance with one implementation.

FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of the wireless mobilecommunication device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a method for conducting a payment transaction using a point ofsale device in accordance with one implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system including awireless mobile communication device and an online store in accordancewith one implementation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a data processing system suitable forstoring and/or executing program code in accordance with oneimplementation.

FIG. 6 illustrates another implementation of the communication systemincluding a wireless mobile communication device and a management serverin accordance with one implementation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an implementation of the radio element of the devicein FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates one implementation of the wireless mobilecommunications device.

FIGS. 9A-9C respectively illustrate an implementation of a secureelement in the wireless mobile communications device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates one implementation of a point of sale terminal.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate a flowchart for conducting a transactionaccording to one implementation.

FIG. 12 illustrates one implementation of a secure element that isattachable to a wireless communications device.

FIG. 13 illustrates one implementation of the management server.

FIG. 14 illustrates one example of the user profile database 302including user profiles for USER 1 and USER 2

FIG. 15 illustrates one implementation of a method 600 for sending anartifact to a mobile communication device of a user.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system includinga wireless mobile communication device and a management server inaccordance with one implementation.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one implementation of a communication system 100. Thecommunication system 100 includes a hand-held, wireless mobilecommunication device 102 a point-of-sale device 104 and a managementserver 106. In one implementation, the mobile communication device 102includes a mobile application (discussed in greater detail below) thatpermits a user of the mobile communication device 102 to conduct paymenttransactions. Payment transactions can include, for example, usingcontactless payment technology at a retail merchant point of sale (e.g.,through point of sale device 104), using mobile/internet commerce (e.g.,purchase tickets and products, etc.), storage of payment information andother digital artifacts (e.g., receipts, tickets, coupons, etc.),storage of banking information (payment account numbers, security codes,PIN's, etc.), and accessing banking service (account balance, paymenthistory, bill pay, fund transfer, etc.), and so on. The mobilecommunication device 102 can be a cellular phone, a wireless personaldigital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, or other wirelesscommunication device. The point of sale device 104 can be a desktopcomputer, laptop computer, terminal, or other device that is configuredto receive user input selecting items for purchase or other transaction.

In one implementation, authorizations for payment transactions that aremade through the point of sale device 104 are sent from the point ofsale device 104 to an issuer authorization (e.g., management server 106)through the mobile communication device 102 (as shown in FIG. 1). In oneimplementation, an issuer authorization is a payment entity that eitherapproves or disapproves a payment transaction. An issuer authorizationcan be, e.g., a person, computer system, bank (or other third party).One potential benefit of having payment authorizations flow through themobile communication device 102 is that sensitive user information (e.g.account numbers, pin numbers, and/or identity information) need only besent from the mobile communication device 102 directly to an issuerauthorization. Such operation reduces the potential for identity theftand/or fraudulent purchases made through a point of sale device. Forexample, (in one implementation) payment authorizations cannot be sentto an issuer authorization if the mobile communication device 102 isturned off.

FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of the mobile communication device102. The mobile communication device 102 includes a mobile application200 that (in one implementation) is provided to the mobile communicationdevice 102 through a remote server (e.g., management server 106). In oneimplementation, the mobile application is a Mobile Wallet applicationavailable from Mobile Candy Dish, Inc., of Alameda, Calif. In oneimplementation, the mobile application is a hosted service, as describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/939,821, entitled “Method andSystem For Securing Transactions Made Through a Mobile CommunicationDevice”, which is incorporated herein by reference. In oneimplementation, the mobile application 200 is configured to sendrequests to the management server for artifacts based on user input,e.g., received though a keypad (not shown) of the mobile communicationdevice 102. Requests to the management server 106 can also be automated,via proximity-based services, e.g., consumer tapping (or in closeproximity) an LBS/contactless/RFID enabled phone against a smart poster(RFID/Bluetooth/LBS enabled, etc.), kiosk, or other device.

In one implementation, the mobile application 200 running on the mobilecommunication device 102 is configured to receive artifacts (e.g.,advertisements, receipts, tickets, coupons, media, content, and so on)from the management server 106. In one implementation, the managementserver 106 sends artifacts to the mobile application based on userprofile information and/or a transaction history (or payment trends)associated with a user of the mobile communication device 102 asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/944,267, entitled“Method and System For Delivering Information To a Mobile CommunicationDevice Based On Consumer Transactions”, which is incorporated herein byreference.

In one implementation, the mobile communication device 102 is anNFC-enabled phone. The mobile communication device 102 can beNFC-enabled, for example, through an embedded chip or a sticker that isaffixed to the cellular phone, as described in U.S. application Ser. No.11/933,321, entitled “Method and System For Adapting a Wireless MobileCommunication Device For Wireless Transactions”, which is incorporatedherein by reference. In one implementation, the NFC chip (or sticker) onthe cellular phone can be used in conjunction with a merchant's point ofsale device as described in greater detail below.

For example, with reference to FIG. 4, in one implementation, the NFCchip (or sticker) on the cellular phone can communicate with NFC chipsthat are installed on the front of PC's (TV's, Kiosks, or any otherdevice) and serve as scanners/readers. In this implementation a mobilecandy dish applet (e.g., MCD POS plugin 414) is installed on theconsumer's computer (e.g., PC 404) which interfaces with the NFC chip onthe PC. When a consumer (or user) is shopping online and they are readyto pay for their products, the consumer opens his mobile wallet andselects one of the payment methods (e.g., credit card, debit card,prepaid card, etc.) from their mobile wallet. If a default card has beenselected already, this step is not necessary. The consumer then wavestheir phone over the NFC reader present on the PC 404. The consumer'spayment credentials are transferred from the phone to the merchantwebsite (e.g., online store application 410) using a communicationprotocol between the chip in the phone and the chip in the PC, which canbe radio frequency for example. If the consumer has coupons in theirmobile wallet the consumer can either elect to manually apply thecoupon, save the coupon for a future use (against a larger purchase forexample), or have the coupon automatically applied during thetransaction and the transaction amount is updated. After the consumerenters any necessary validation information (e.g., pin) to provide amulti-factor authentication and confirms the transaction, the onlinepurchase is processed as normal by the merchant's online processor. Themobile wallet can retrieve transaction data, account balance from themanagement server 408.

In one implementation, the mobile communication device 102 is a nonNFC-enabled phone. In this implementation, the consumer connects hisphone to the PC 404 via some non radio frequency method (e.g., IR,Bluetooth, USB cable, etc.). When a consumer is shopping online and theyare ready to pay for their products, the consumer opens his mobilewallet and selects one of the payment methods (e.g., credit card, debitcard, prepaid card, etc.) from their mobile wallet. If a default cardhas been selected already, this step is not necessary. The consumer thenpushes, e.g., a “Buy now” button and the consumer's payment credentialsare transferred from the phone to the merchant website (e.g., onlinestore application 410) using the protocol between the phone and the PC404 which can be radio frequency, for example. If the consumer hascoupons in their mobile wallet the consumer can either elect to manuallyapply the coupon, save the coupon for a future use, or have the couponautomatically applied during the transaction and the transaction amountis updated. After the consumer enters any necessary validationinformation (e.g., pin) to provide multi-factor authentication andconfirms the transaction, the online purchase is processed as normal bythe merchant's online processor. The mobile wallet can retrievetransaction data and account balance from the management server 408.

In one implementation, the management server 408 and merchant portal(e.g., online store 408) are maintained by trusted parties and use anencrypted tunnel to transfer financial data. When the consumer is readyto pay for their online product, they enter their cell phone number onthe merchant portal. The merchant portal (which has an MCD applet (e.g.,MCD POS plugin 414) installed on its server) securely connects to themanagement server 408 (that in one implementation is maintained byMobile Candy Dish (MCD)). In one implementation, the management server408 identifies the consumer through their cell phone number, andverifies the consumer's authenticity by sending a unique transactioncode to the consumer mobile wallet on their cell phone. The consumerthen enters this unique transaction code onto the merchant's web portal.The merchant portal sends this transaction number to the managementserver 408 for authentication. Upon authentication, the consumer'svirtual wallet and payment methods (e.g., credit card, debit card,prepaid card, etc.) are securely retrieved from the management server408 and are displayed to the consumer in a window on a websiteassociated with the merchant portal. The consumer selects one of thesepayment methods to pay for their transaction. If a default card has beenselected already, this step is not necessary. If the consumer hascoupons in their mobile wallet the consumer can either elect to manuallyapply the coupon, save the coupon for a future use, or have the couponautomatically applied during the transaction and the transaction amountis updated. After the consumer enters any necessary validationinformation to provide a multi-factor authentication and confirms thetransaction, the online purchase is processed as normal by themerchant's online processor. The mobile wallet can retrieve transactiondata, account balance from the management server 408.

Referring to FIG. 2, in one implementation, the mobile application 200maintains a shopping list 202 for a consumer. Accordingly, consumershave the ability to store their shopping list in their mobile wallet andadd, delete, or change items on their shopping list either in offline oronline mode. In one implementation, consumers are sent coupons based onitems on their shopping list, preferences, previous shopping history,proximity to the physical retail store, or a combination of theseparameters, as discussed in application Ser. No. 11/944,267, which isincorporated by reference above. If the consumer has coupons in theirmobile wallet the consumer can either elect to manually apply thecoupon, save the coupon for a future use, or have the couponautomatically applied during the transaction and the transaction amountis updated. When a consumer wants to order the items on their shoppinglist via an on online merchant (in contrast to a physical retail store),the consumer can logon to the merchant portal and electronicallytransmit their shopping list to the merchant portal either by wavingtheir phone over NFC enabled PC's or some other connection such as IR,bluetooth, USB, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for conducting a payment transactionusing a point of sale device (e.g., point of sale device 104). Userinput is received selecting one or more items for purchase (e.g., at thepoint of sale device) (step 302). In general, the transaction being madeat the point of sale device can be any type of transaction that involvesthe exchange or transfer of funds—e.g., the transaction can be a paymenttransaction, a fund transfer, or other type of transaction. In responseto a request from the user to purchase the one or more items, a totalpurchase amount for the one or more items is calculated (e.g., by thepoint of sale device) (step 304). If the user has coupons in theirmobile wallet the user can either manually apply the coupon or have thecoupon automatically applied during the transaction and the transactionamount is updated. The user request to purchase an item can be received,e.g., by a user clicking on a “buy now” icon that is displayed on agraphical user interface of the point of sale device. Paymentauthorization for the total purchase amount is sent to a payment entitythrough a mobile communication device of the user (step 306). A resultof the payment authorization is received at the point of sale devicefrom the payment entity via the mobile communication device (step 308).The payment transaction is completed based on the result of the paymentauthorization (step 310). If the payment transaction was authorized bythe payment entity, then the sale of the items through the point of saledevice is completed. Otherwise, if the payment transaction was notauthorized by the payment entity, then the point of sale deviceterminates the payment transaction.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example payment transaction being made in acommunication system 400 in accordance with one implementation. Thecommunication system 400 includes a mobile communication device 402, apersonal computer (PC) 404, an online store 406, and a core (ordatastore) 408. As indicated by interaction (1), a user (or customer),using a phone (e.g., mobile communication device 402 or personalcomputer 404), browses an online store website (online store application410) and finds an item that the customer wishes to purchase. This couldalso be a purchase made through a midlet application (POS midlet 412)residing on the mobile communication device 402. The user then goes to,e.g., a checkout of the online store 406 make a purchase. If the userhas coupons in their mobile wallet the user can either manually applythe coupon or have the coupon automatically applied during thetransaction and the transaction amount is updated. When it comes time toauthorize the purchase, (in one implementation) the user is given anoption to purchase with the mobile communication device 402. In oneimplementation, the mobile communication device 402 is an NFC-equippedphone (or NFC phone).

In interaction (2), when the user chooses to purchase with the mobilecommunication device 402, the online store application 410 sends thetransaction information for authorization to the POS vendor plugin(e.g., MCD POS plugin 414). In one implementation, the POS vendor pluginis installed in the merchant's online store and enables the merchant toaccepts MCD Blaze payments as an alternative form of payment, similar toaccepting credit cards for payment. As shown by interaction (3), the POSvendor plugin formats, encrypts, and cryptographically signs thepurchase authorization request which is sent via a secure SSL link(e.g., HTTPS, Bluetooth, IR, USB, or other suitable protocol)established by the browser/web application 416 back to the mobilecommunication device 402. As with the first scenario, all communicationsis over secure channels. (It may be required that the mobile walletapplication be opened prior to beginning a phone online purchase.) ThePOS midlet 412 is a component of the mobile wallet application thatexecutes PayPass or other payment authorization protocol between itselfand the SE payment applications on the mobile communication device 402(interaction (4)). The results of the request are sent back to the POSvendor plugin.

As shown by interaction (5), the POS midlet 412 then forwards theproperly formatted authorization request to a payment entity (e.g.,issuer authorization 418) for authorization. The results of the requestare then sent back to the POS component of the mobile wallet. Throughinteraction (6), the POS midlet 412 then forwards the results back tothe MCD POS plugin 414 to complete the purchase. The MCD POS plugin 414then forwards the purchase transaction information to the managementserver 408 for later customer viewing (interaction (7)). As indicated byinteraction (8), users (or customers) will then be able to query themanagement server 408 and immediately obtain purchase information,either by phone or PC.

One or more of method steps described above can be performed by one ormore programmable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Generally,the invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardwareand software elements. In one implementation, the invention isimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware,resident software, microcode, etc. Furthermore, the invention can takethe form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usableor computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or inconnection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For thepurposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readablemedium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium.Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk andan optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compactdisk—read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk—read/write (CD-R/W) andDVD.

FIG. 5 illustrates a data processing system 500 suitable for storingand/or executing program code. Data processing system 500 includes aprocessor 502 coupled to memory elements 504A-B through a system bus506. In other implementations, data processing system 500 may includemore than one processor and each processor may be coupled directly orindirectly to one or more memory elements through a system bus. Memoryelements 504A-B can include local memory employed during actualexecution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories thatprovide temporary storage of at least some program code in order toreduce the number of times the code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution. As shown, input/output or I/O devices 508A-B(including, but not limited to, keyboards, displays, pointing devices,etc.) are coupled to data processing system 500. I/O devices 508A-B maybe coupled to data processing system 500 directly or indirectly throughintervening I/O controllers (not shown).

In one implementation, a network adapter 510 is coupled to dataprocessing system 500 to enable data processing system 500 to becomecoupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storagedevices through communication link 512. Communication link 512 can be aprivate or public network. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards arejust a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

The wireless mobile devices also include a near field communication(NFC) device, coupled with some type of transaction device having acode, such as a smart card that uses an RFID for identificationpurposes, allow for debit cards to securely make a simple transaction,such as purchasing a bus ticket, by simply waving the wireless mobiledevice near a reader installed on the bus, so that the bus fare isdeducted from a total amount that is available stored on the smart cardof the wireless mobile device, or by forwarding the fare to a serverthat can identify the identification code of the particular RFID andthen subsequently charge the user. The system and method allow the userto complete a transaction using a wireless mobile communication channeland another communication channel, particularly another communicationchannel that provides for near field radio channels (NFC), as well asother communication channels, such as Bluetooth or WIFI. The system mayhave a hand-held mobile device that wirelessly communicates between asecure element and a radio element that are associated with thehand-held mobile device. The system also has a hand-held mobile devicethat has a secure element that is insertable into a body of thehand-held mobile device, to thereby allow for wired communicationbetween the secure element and a radio element of the hand-held mobiledevice.

FIG. 6 illustrates another implementation of the communication systemincluding a wireless mobile communication device and a management serverin accordance with one implementation. One feature of the system 100 isthe hand-held mobile device 110. The mobile device 100 includes a radioelement 120 and a secure element 130. A display 124 is shown associatedwith the radio element 120, and antennas, not labeled, are shown asassociated with each of the radio element 120 and the secure element130, although it is noted that the illustration of antenna canphysically be implemented in a manner that is different from thewireless antenna shown, such as by a stripe is passed along a reader, orsome other transmission mechanism. Although elements 120 and 130 areshown as distinct and separate, and display 124 is shown as connected tothe radio element 120, it will be understood that other configurationsare within the scope of the invention, in particular, a combination inwhich a single processor is used to execute the functions that arecurrently performed and described herein as being provided by both theradio element 120 and the secure element 130, as described furtherherein. Further as illustrated in FIG. 6. both the radio element 120 andthe secure element 130 are internal to the mobile device 110 asillustrated, although in certain embodiments the secure element 130 canbe external to the mobile device 110, as described hereinafter. Also,various different functionalities can be included within the radioelement 120 and the secure element 130, as also described hereinafter.

The point-of-sale terminal 150 receives one of the transaction requestsignals from the mobile device 110 and transmits the one transactionrequest signal to the transaction server 170, typically using acommunication channel 160 such as the internet. The transaction server170 that receives the one transaction request signal from thepoint-of-sale terminal 150 verifies the transaction, and forwards atransaction verification signal to the management server 180. Themanagement server 180 that receives the transaction verification signal,identifies the user corresponding thereto, and provides as one of thetransaction signals, a first transaction response signal back to themobile device 110.

In one implementation, application programs running on the radioprocessor 123 are, e.g., BREW or J2ME applications and can encompass abroad array of application types. For example, current applicationsinclude games, enterprise applications, and multimedia applications. Inone implementation, the radio processor 123 runs an application thatprovides movie and event information. Such an application can compriseticketing applications, content, item and service purchase applications,and/or payment management applications (referred to herein also as“wallet applications”). In one implementation, the radio processor 123also has the capability of recognizing secure communications, andtransmits data which must be stored in a secure environment to thesecure element driver 128 for transmission to the secure element 130. Inone implementation, in which both the radio element 120 and the secureelement 130 are internal to the mobile communication device 110,transmissions to the secure element 130 can take place using an internalwired communication channel. In one implementation, the radio processor123 also has the capability of receiving data from the secure element130, e.g., using the internal wired communication channel. In oneimplementation, the secure element 130 and the radio element 120communicate using signals described in the Java Card 2.1 Platform APISpecification.

In one implementation, both the radio element 120 and the secure element130 are disposed internally within a body of the mobile communicationdevice 110. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the mobile communicationdevice 110 is shown including a slot 400, which allows for the insertionof a secure element 130 into the slot 400. In this configuration, thesecure element 130 can be purchased independently of the mobilecommunication device 110. The secure element 130 can also be disposedinto a slot that only provides for physical insertion and mechanicalconnection to the body of the mobile communication device 110. In suchan implementation, the secure element can include a transceiver thatallows for the communication with the radio element 130 through awireless local communication channel. The radio element 120 also isillustrated as optionally including another transceiver 129, such as aBluetooth or WIFI transceiver, which can transmit and receive signalswith an external device and then communicate signals to and from theradio processor 123. This additional communication channel allows forcommunications between other external devices, such as an externalBluetooth enabled smartcard, and provides an additional communicationchannel that is useful for certain transactions, as described furtherherein.

FIG. 9A illustrates one implementation of the secure element 130associated with the mobile communication device 110. The secure element130 can be a smart card. In one implementation, the secure element 130includes a secure processor 132, a secure memory 133, and a POStransceiver 134 adapted to send transaction request signals and receivetransaction response signals over a first communication channel. In oneimplementation, the secure processor 132 communicates via the secureelement driver 128 with the radio processor 123 using signals asdescribed in the Java Card 2.1 Platform API Specification. Thetransaction request signals and the transaction response signalsassociated with the transaction can include an identification codeassociated with the user, as well as information relative to thetransaction, such as item, quantity, vendor, and so on. In oneimplementation, the POS transceiver 134 is an NFC device, which uses anNFC modem. The POS transceiver 134 can also be a Bluetooth, WIFI orother transceiver. In an implementation in which the POS transceiver isan NFC modem, such an NFC modem will typically have a set of registersthat can be read/written by the secure processor 132. These registersare in turn available for reading and writing over the RFIDcommunications channel and serve as a shared memory between the secureprocessor 123 within the secure element 130 and the RFID reader that isassociated with the POS terminal 150. This communication is specified,for example, in the ISO 14443A/B standard. The secure element canoptionally include a radio/Bluetooth/WIFI transceiver 136, which cancommunicate with other devices, such as a transceiver associated withthe radio processor 120 or for other external devices having thosecommunication capabilities, thus allowing for more flexibility.

FIG. 9B shows another implementation of a secure element 130, in whichthe radio element 120 does not communicate with the secure element 130through a secure element driver 128. In this case, for example, thesecure element 130 may be external to the mobile communication device110 and as such is not connected to the radio element through the secureelement driver 128. In such an implementation, however, if thetransceiver 136 as described above is included, and a similartransceiver 129 associated with the radio element 130 as describedpreviously with respect to FIG. 7 is included, then this communicationchannel can be used to wirelessly obtain direct communications betweenthe radio element 120 and the secure element 130. This implementationallows for certain bidirectional communications with other devices, aswell as with the radio element 120, and as such more functionality andflexibility is achieved. This implementation is particularly usefulsince it establishes a direct local communication path with the radioelement 120, since there is not communications with the radio element120 via the path of driver 128.

FIG. 12 illustrates one implementation of a secure element 130 that canbe attached (or affixed) externally to a wireless communication device(e.g., mobile communication device 110). In one implementation, thesecure element 130 has circular shape. The secure element 130 can haveother suitable shapes—e.g., rectangular, triangular, and so on. In oneimplementation, the secure element 130 includes an embedded smart chip702 that is capable of executing proximity services (e.g., servicesrelated to payments, ticketing, identification, sending coupons, etc.).In one implementation, the smart chip 702 is capable of 2-way wirelesscommunication (e.g., RFID), NFC, Bluetooth, etc.) with a supporting3rdParty terminal. In one implementation, the 2-way communication isperformed using a communication protocol that is different from acommunication protocol through which the mobile communication devicesends or receives voice and/or data signals. Multiple applicationprotocols (NFC, MiFare, etc.) can be supported. In one implementation,the smart chip 702 is programmable. Accordingly, different application(for payments, ticketing, identification, coupons, etc.) can bedeveloped, downloaded to the smart chip, and commissioned. Thus inoperation, in response to the secure element 130 being placed in closeproximity with a suitable terminal, the terminal will trigger (viaapplication protocol) an appropriate application stored in the smartchip, and the smart chip will respond appropriately with the terminal.

In one implementation, the mobile application 910 provides banking andmoney management service, which includes (but is not limited to):

Registration: User creates new MW Lite account with PIN (PIN and userinfo can be stored in user/profile database 306)

Security & Encryption: Sensitive information may optionally by encryptedusing 3rdParty or native phone tools (Bouncy Castle, etc.). Encryption(Public/Private) keys may be managed or proxy'd by Server which mayadditionally be out-sourced to 3rdparty Key Management vendor.

Install & Configuration (I&C): Refers to setting up proxies to

-   -   payment accounts (virtual, credit, debit & banking)    -   Payees (BillPay, PayAnyone, etc.) and associated rules    -   Specify default payment account to debit fund        transfers/unloading    -   Specify default payment account to credit fund transfers/loading

Activation of 3rdParty Services (Account Balance, Bill Pay, FundTransfer, Funds Loading, Funds Unloading)

It is assumed Client application is pre-installed or downloaded tomobile device.

I&C to be performed via Kiosk, ATM, 3rdParty/Carrier Web Portal, MCD WebPortal, on mobile device, or other suitable device.

Loading Funds

Banking or financial data

Account balance

Transaction history

Bill Pay—Biller Direct

Fund Transfer—Intra Bank; Me-2-Me

Fund Transfer—Inter Bank; Me-2-Me

Fund Transfer—Inter Bank; Me-2-You (based on Bank Routing/Account#)

Fund Transfer—Inter Bank; Me-2-You (based on WalletID)

Fund Transfer—Inter Bank; Me-2-You (based on ACH Check). A.k.a. Bill PayAnyone

Load Fund

Unload Funds (ATM Withdrawal, etc.)

Sync: Ensures server-side objects are downloaded to client and locallycached. This includes payment accounts, payees, payment rules,server-side cached account info (account balance, Last-N transactionhistory), etc.

This info will be cached on Client.

Users can create transaction either in ONLINE or OFFLINE (no networkconnectivity) mode

Initiating/Triggering Banking Services:

Storage: Storage of Users MWLite info, User's payment account info(credentials, account balance, history, etc.); Banking Payment History(BillPay, Fund Transfer, Fund Loads, Fund Unloads, etc.)Scenarios/Features

In one implementation, a mobile communication device createstask/objects either while connected with a Server (online-mode) or whenno connection is available (offline-mode). Tasks/objects are specific tomobile banking service and include for example: schedule (or cancel) afund transfer transaction, schedule (or cancel) a bill pay transaction,and manage other banking transactions. In addition, digital artifacts(coupons, tickets, etc.) that possess a state (or status) (e.g.,Assigned, Saves, Redeemed, Deleted, etc.) can undergo changes on themobile communication device. Given these tasks/objects associated toBanking Services and Digital Artifacts has ‘states’ that can be changedin either an online-mode or offline-mode, the Server has to berefreshed/updated either in real-time (online-mode) or in batch(offline-mode).

Using the client (or mobile application), a user can store digitalartifacts (e.g., coupons, tickets, etc.) on a mobile communicationdevice. These digital artifacts are objects that are consumed by a3rdParty, e.g., a ticket can be redeemed at a theater, and a coupon canbe redeemed at the Point-Of-Sale of a retail merchant. Hence, this is a3-way sync: 1) mobile communication device with server, 2. mobilecommunication device with 3rdParty Merchant, and 3) server with 3rdPartyMerchant. For user's convenience, redemption of digital artifacts by a3rdParty must be enabled in an environment with or without networkaccess. For example, a user with an electronic ticket on a mobilecommunication device may wish to redeem an eTicket at a theater.However, if there is no network access inside the theater, the user willstill need access the eTicket on the client. In ONLINE mode, the clientwill cache (local store) the eTicket (and any other digital artifact.)In the theater, the client (in OFFLINE mode) will be able to redeem theeTicket and update the state of the eTicket on the mobile communicationdevice (e.g., change state from ‘valid’ to ‘redeemed’). This preventsthe user from re-using the eTicket. At some point when the mobilecommunication device re-acquires network connectivity, the client willthen negotiate with the server and any artifacts with a state change(e.g., ‘valid’ to ‘redeemed’, etc.) on the client are then uploaded tothe server (e.g., either in batch mode or one task at a time).

The point of sale terminal 150 illustrated in FIG. 10 is conventional,in that it has the capability of electronically reading information froma device equipped to transmit information in a format that it reads.Thus, the reader 152 within the point of sale terminal 150 can be of oneor many types. If the point of sale terminal reader 152 includes theprovision for NFC communications, then simply bringing the secureelement 130 with the NFC transceiver will cause initiation of atransaction and the transmission of the identification code associatedwith the secure element 130 and thus the user.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate a flowchart of a transaction in accordance withone implementation, and the various steps that are included in thetransaction, with reference to which of the various devices areimplementing this step. Referring to FIG. 11A, a user first waves amobile communication device 530 (e.g., a NFC device or device having anattached sticker) across (or near) a POS terminal 540. The POS terminal540 identifies the technology associated with the mobile communicationdevice, a payment method, user credentials, and payment credentials.Irrespective if t mobile communication device is a NFC-Phone or includesan attached sticker, the mobile communication device sends to the POSTerminal 540 payment credentials including optional credentials (e.g.,WalletID). As shown in FIG. 6B, using optional credentials (e.g.,WalletID), contact is made with a transaction server 510 to requestpayment credentials. The POS terminal 540 determines if a security codeprompt (e.g., a PIN) is needed? If yes, a prompt is made for thesecurity code (PIN) on the POS terminal 540 and the process continueswith processing of the payment. Otherwise, the POS terminal 540 simplyproceeds with processing of the payment. As an alternative, the POSterminal 540 can integrate via the back office to a management server510 and trigger a PIN prompt on the mobile communication device. In sucha case, the user can enter the PIN on the mobile communication device(instead of through the POS terminal 540). The POS terminal 540 handsprocessing to a payment broker.

Referring to FIG. 11C, assuming the POS terminal 540 was capable of2-way communication, if the POS terminal 540 determines that the mobilecommunication device is a NFC Phone, the POS terminal 540 can writedigital artifacts (e.g., eReceipts, eTickets, eCoupons, etc.) to themobile communication device. Non-secure data is stored in the mobilecommunication device. Otherwise, the POS terminal 540 sends optionaldigital artifacts to the management server 510. As part of anout-of-band sync between the management server 510 and the mobilecommunication device, the non-secure digital artifacts are downloadedand stored in the mobile communication device. Secure digital artifactsare downloaded to the mobile communication device and stored on a secureelement of the mobile communication device (if possible).

The two transaction workflows that have been specifically discussedabove are the credit card and ticketing workflows. Other transactionflows can also be implemented. Debit card and cash card transactions aresimilar to credit card transactions, with variations being implementedto account for the differences that exist in those types oftransactions, which types of transactions are well understood. Couponscan be implemented with the invention, in much the same manner astickets, though coupons can be transmitted without there being payment.Many of the transaction types noted herein will, as is apparent, requirecommunication between the secure element 130 and the radio element 120.As such, due to that requirement, a significant part of the precedingdiscussion has been directed to how to implement that communication,particularly for mobile communication devices 110 that are notmanufactured to allow for such communications.

An example of a typical transaction requiring such communication betweenthe secure element 130 and the radio element 120 is one in which the POSterminal 150 allows for the transfer of detailed purchase informationfrom the POS terminal 150 to the secure element 130, as well astransactional information from the POS terminal 150 and/or thetransaction server 170 to the management server 180. The managementserver 180 can then also communicate with the radio element 120 via theradio channel. This allows for the matching and reconciliation ofdetailed purchase information and, if the transaction fails, failuredetails can be matched to the purchase information, and forwarded inreal-time to the user via the radio element 120. In one implementation,there is included the provision for different phones to communicate theresults of a transaction, particularly using the POS transceiver or oneof the Bluetooth/Wifi transceivers. In this implementation, after atransaction has been completed with one of the mobile communicationdevices 110 a, another mobile communication device 110 b can receiveinformation regarding the transaction completed. Thus, for instance, ifmobile communication device 110 a purchases two tickets, one of thetickets can be transmitted to the mobile communication device 110 b byeach using a POS transceiver or one of the Bluetooth/Wifi transceivers.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system includinga wireless mobile communication device and a management server inaccordance with one implementation.

FIG. 13 illustrates one implementation of the management server 106. Asshown in FIG. 13, the management server 106 includes a correlationengine 300, a user profile database 302, and an artifacts database 304.The correlation engine 300 can correlate user profile information (e.g.,location, gender, age, interest, affiliations, etc.) stored in the userprofile database 302 with other data (historical payment transactions,real-time payment transactions, etc.) stored in the artifacts database304, and/or location of a user to provide more relevant targetingparameters for which to target, identify and distribute relevantartifacts to a user. In one implementation, the management server 106 isa server that is maintained by Mobile Candy Dish, Inc.

In one implementation, the user profile database 302 is continuallyupdated with information pertaining to the user—e.g., location, paymenthistory, transaction history, and the like. In addition, the artifactsdatabase 304 can be continually updated with new artifacts that can besent to users—e.g., users that are subscribed to, e.g., the MobileWallet application. For example, metadata can be associated to artifactsstored in the artifacts database 304. The metadata can be leveraged totrigger a secondary call-to-action, e.g., to encourage user behavior.For example, it may be desired for a user to enter an email address,accept coupon/rewards, opt-in for alerts and notification, etc. When anartifact is sent to a user, the metadata associated with the artifactcan provide the additional dynamic next steps (e.g., through a userinterface screen) to provoke the desired user action.

FIG. 14 illustrates one example of the user profile database 302including user profiles for USER 1 and USER 2. As discussed above, inone implementation, the user profile database is continually updatedbased on transactions of a user. Accordingly, the user profile database302 includes a plurality of targeting parameter fields—e.g., targetingparameter fields 1-4—that define targeting parameters that have beensatisfied by (or apply to) a user. That is, USER 1 satisfies targetingparameters 1 and 4, while USER 2 satisfies targeting parameters 1, 2,and 4. In general, the user profile database 302 includes other fields(not shown) for storing other attributes associated with users—e.g.,personal information. The artifacts database 304 can similarly includetargeting parameters that correspond to each artifact. And in oneimplementation, the correlation engine 300 (FIG. 3) performscorrelations between user-data targeting parameters and contenttargeting parameters in order to match relevant artifacts/content to aspecific user profile based on various content distribution rules.

FIG. 15 illustrates one implementation of a method 600 for sending anartifact to a mobile communication device of a user. A request to sendan artifact to a user is received (e.g., by correlation engine 300)(step 306). The request can be a request generated from a user or be anautomated request generated from a point-of-sale device, kiosk, or otherdevice. In general, the artifact can be an advertisements, receipt,ticket, coupon, media, content, and so on. User target parameters from auser profile of the user are retrieved (e.g., by correlation engine 300)(step 604). A transaction history of the user is retrieved (e.g., bycorrelation engine 300) (step 606). An artifact is sent (from themanagement server) to the user based on the user target parameters andthe transaction history of the user (step 608).

FIG. 16 illustrates one implementation of a communication system 900.The communication system 900 includes computing devices and a managementserver (designated “server”). The management server includes acorrelation engine, a query manager, a user profile manager, and aninventory controller. The management controller is in communication witha user profile database, a payment transaction history database, and anartifact inventory database. The management server is also incommunication with a bank so that raw data may be downloaded from banksand stored in local storage. In one implementation, data-mining andreporting tools are leveraged by the management server to defineaggregated reports. Additionally, aggregated data may be downloaded frombanks that provide/support data-mining and ad-hoc reporting tools.

In operation, a user opens an application (e.g., a web-browser) on acomputing device (a mobile communication device). The applicationqueries the management Server for an artifact, providing pageId (sceneidentifier) and userId, where the pageId can represent a specificscreen, scene or real-estate property. The query can beinitiated/triggered via following mechanisms, but not limited to:Browsing a particular screen/web-page that specify unique real-estate;leveraging proximity services (NFC/Contactless, etc.) that specifyunique code or identifier; geographic location (LBS, Bluetooth, etc.).The management server collects targeting Meta Data based on the user'suserId. The management server leverages multiple data sources including,but not limited to: user profiles (e.g., for location, gender, age,interest, affiliations, etc.); payment transactions (e.g., for top 5spend categories, upcoming bill pay transactions, merchants, etc.).Leveraging payment transactions and banking transactions provides a goodfuture trending of a user's behavior, including a level ofimportance/relevancy. Mining this data (for spend category, merchant,price level, etc.) provides a rich set of attributes that betterdescribes a user's retail preference. The management server queries theartifact inventory against query parameters based on targeting metadata. If multiple matches are determine, the correlation engine usespredetermined business rules and identifies and returns a URL (UniversalResource Locator) to a unique artifact. The user (or consumer) can usethe application running on the mobile communication device to retrieveartifact/content based on the provided URL.

In general, while effort is made to minimize storage of sensitive userinformation and data in a memory of a mobile communication device, inone implementation, some data is stored in the memory of a mobilecommunication device due to reasons of performance, usability and userexperience. For example, data may need to be stored on a mobilecommunication device in the following circumstances. Paymentcredentials, coupons, tickets, and so on may have to be stored on thesecure element of an NFC phone. Account balance, banking paymenthistory, etc., may be locally cached on a mobile communication device.In one implementation, a user can opt-in to save payment method securitycodes in the client (or mobile application) for convenience. Ticketsand/or coupons may be locally cached so that a user can redeem thetickets and/or coupons in an offline mode. For example, a mobilecommunication device may be offline in a situation in which networkconnectivity inside a building is degraded, and storing a ticket and/orcoupon in a local cache of the mobile communication device permits theuser to access the ticket or coupon.

In one implementation, while a client is open, a user has access totransaction data. In such an implementation, users who may misplace amobile communication device while the client is open may expose the userto risk of information theft. Therefore, in one implementation, mobileapplication (or client) shuts down after a period of inactivity.Additional tasks that can be associated with the shutdown procedure caninclude, but is not limited to, temporarily shutting down a secureelement (of the mobile communication device) to prevent NFC payments,NFC coupon redemption, and NFC ticket redemption.

Rewards/Loyalty/Coupons—

A user can keep track of reward/loyalty cards—e.g., frequently flyeraccount number, rental car reward membership, hotel reward membership,and the like—through the rewards module. In one implementation, a usercan view, in real-time, a summary of all rewards (e.g., pointsaccumulated) directly on a cellular phone. A user can also search forand store coupons on their mobile communication device for use during,e.g., a contactless purchase.

Although the present invention has been particularly described withreference to implementations discussed above, various changes,modifications and substitutes are can be made. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that in numerous instances some features of the inventioncan be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Further,variations can be made in the number and arrangement of componentsillustrated in the figures discussed above.

While the foregoing has been with reference to a particular embodimentof the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes in this embodiment may be made without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedby the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of processing a Near FieldCommunication (NFC) payment transaction comprising: receiving at amanagement server an identification code and a coupon from an NFCterminal, and further wherein the NFC terminal receives theidentification code and the coupon from a secure element in response toa near field communication inductive signal by the NFC terminal to thesecure element which triggers, a secure element processor to execute anNFC application and transmit, via a secure element transceiver, theidentification code and the coupon to the NFC terminal using the NFCapplication, and further wherein the NFC terminal automatically appliesthe coupon to the near field communication payment transaction, whereinthe secure element processor, a secure element memory, and the secureelement transceiver are included in the secure element permanentlyembedded within the body of a mobile device, the mobile devicecomprising a mobile device memory, a mobile device processor, and amobile device transceiver; transmitting, from the management server,transaction information including a payment method corresponding to theidentification code to a transaction server for processing the NFCpayment transaction; and after the NFC payment transaction hasprocessed, receiving, at the management server, a transactionverification from the transaction server, wherein the transactionverification indicates that the NFC payment transaction has beenprocessed.
 2. The method of claim 1, further wherein a digital artifactis delivered from the management server to the mobile device through themobile device transceiver.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the digitalartifact comprises an advertisement, receipt, ticket, media, metadataand/or content.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital artifactis sent to the mobile device based on personal information andtransactions related information stored at the management server.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein personal information includes user location,gender, age, interest, userid, and/or affiliations.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein transaction related information comprises informationrelated to historical payment transactions, information related toreal-time payment transactions, information related to bankingtransactions, information related to bill pay, information related tomerchants, information related to price-level, information related tospend categories, information related to contactless transactions madeusing the mobile device, information related to interact commerce,information related to storage of banking information, accessing accountbalance, information related to accessing payment history, informationrelated to accessing funds transfer, information related to storage oftickets, information related to storage of receipts, information relatedto storage of coupons, information related to transactions made by theuser but not conducted through the mobile device, and/or informationrelated to transactions downloaded from banks.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein the digital artifact is sent to the mobile device based onmovement of the mobile device into close proximity of a smart poster, aradio frequency identification (RFID) device, a Bluetooth device, or alocation-based service device.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein thedigital artifact is received through a near field communicationtransceiver at the secure element after purchase from the NFC terminal,wherein the digital artifact comprises a receipt, coupon, ticket, and/orreturn/refund policy.
 9. A management server that processes a near fieldcommunication (NFC) payment transaction comprising: a management serverinterface that receives an identification code and a coupon from an NFCterminal, and further wherein the NFC terminal receives theidentification code and the coupon from a secure element in response toa near field communication inductive signal by the NFC terminal to thesecure element which triggers a secure element processor to execute anNFC application which transmits, via a secure element transceiver, theidentification code and the coupon to the NFC terminal using the NFCapplication, and further wherein the NFC terminal automatically appliesthe coupon to the near field communication payment transaction, whereinthe secure element processor, a secure element memory, and the secureelement transceiver are included in the secure element permanentlyembedded within the body of a mobile device, the mobile devicecomprising a mobile device memory, a mobile device processor, and amobile device transceiver; and a management server processor thattransmits transaction information including a payment methodcorresponding to the identification code to a transaction server forprocessing the NFC payment transaction; and after the NFC paymenttransaction has processed, receives a transaction verification from thetransaction server, wherein the transaction verification indicates thatthe near field communication payment transaction has been processed. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the payment method is a credit card. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the payment method is a debit card. 12.The method of claim 2, wherein the digital artifact includes metadataoperable to trigger a secondary call-to-action.
 13. The managementserver of claim 9, wherein the payment method is a credit card.
 14. Themanagement server of claim 9, wherein the payment method is a debitcard.
 15. The management server of claim 9, further wherein a digitalartifact is delivered from the management server to the mobile devicethrough the mobile device transceiver.
 16. The management server ofclaim 15, wherein the digital artifact comprises an advertisement,receipt, ticket, media, metadata and/or content.
 17. The managementserver of claim 15, wherein the digital artifact includes metadataoperable to trigger a secondary call-to-action.
 18. The method of claim1, wherein the payment method is a cash card.
 19. The management serverof claim 9, wherein the payment method is a cash card.